Dent Blanche, August 25

After a period of cool, showery weather, we manage to reach this fantastic summit in central Valais.
The Cabane de la Dent Blanche is located at 3507 m, so the tour is relatively short if you consider the elevation gain alone (but you “pay” for this the day before with a 4.5- to 5-hour climb to the hut). But the Dent Blanche is a challenge: immediately behind the hut, the climb starts off steeply, reaching the Wandfluelücke via a steep rocky ridge and a snowy peak. A relatively comfortable climb with occasional easy scrambles leads to the foot of the Grande Gendarme, a rock tower that stands in the way at the beginning of the actual south ridge. This can be “taken” with moderately difficult climbing, but due to the heavy snow, we decided to bypass it. Stimulating climbing on excellent rock now leads you over several exposed towers until you reach the highest point of the mountain (4357 m). A fantastic tour that belongs in the repertoire of any ambitious Western Alps mountaineer!